Published: November 1, 2018

Keynote listener

A few months ago, as I was preparing to speak at the Summer Sinus Symposium of the American Rhinological Society, I ran some ideas by my wife, Jenny, a trained career coach. After hearing some of the key messages I intended to focus on, JPM (as I call her) suggested I refer to my role as “keynote listener” instead of the usual “keynote speaker.” I loved this clever idea and intend to use this forum to share messages from committed members like you—concerns and perspectives from every make and model of otolaryngologist in our extended AAO-HNS/F family.


Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F PresidentAlbert L. Merati, MD
AAO-HNS/F President
A few months ago, as I was preparing to speak at the Summer Sinus Symposium of the American Rhinological Society, I ran some ideas by my wife, Jenny, a trained career coach.

After hearing some of the key messages I intended to focus on, JPM (as I call her) suggested I refer to my role as “keynote listener” instead of the usual “keynote speaker.” I loved this clever idea and intend to use this forum to share messages from committed members like you—concerns and perspectives from every make and model of otolaryngologist in our extended AAO-HNS/F family.

Members engaged in the act of listening during last month’s Annual Meeting in Atlanta.Members engaged in the act of listening during last month’s Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

I don’t pretend to understand all of the issues that face otolaryngologists and their patients, but I do know how to listen, how to connect folks with answers, and how to energize responsible change.  As you can see from this month’s edition of the Bulletin, this year looks to be a remarkable year for our AAO-HNS membership. Responsive leadership and sustained membership engagement are vital for our success.

Adaptation of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle as presented in his TED Talk “Start with Why”Adaptation of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle as
presented in his TED Talk “Start with Why”

Over this next year, as I serve in the role of President of our American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery/Foundation, I intend to get personal with you. I want to explore why you and I do what we do. What compels each of us in our myriad experiences as otolaryngologists? This is, of course, the essence of Simon Sinek’s mantra as explained in his original TED Talk, “Start with Why“. While this may all sound lofty, exploring these fundamentals and reflecting upon your stories will provide both compass and star as we navigate the very real issues facing all of us over the next few years and beyond.


More from November 2018 – Vol. 37, No. 10